If you’ve spent more than twenty minutes in downtown Flagstaff, someone has probably already told you to go to the "pasty place." They aren’t talking about some niche craft store. They’re talking about Cornish Pasty Co Flagstaff, a dark, woody, slightly chaotic, and utterly essential gastropub on San Francisco Street.
Honestly, it's a bit of a Flagstaff rite of passage. You walk in, your eyes struggle to adjust to the dim lighting, and you’re immediately hit with the smell of baking dough and red wine gravy. It feels like a basement in London, which is exactly the point.
What is a Pasty, Anyway?
Before you go, let’s clear up the pronunciation. It’s "pah-stee," not "pay-stee." If you say the latter, the locals might look at you funny, and the ghost of a 19th-century tin miner will probably sigh in disappointment.
The story goes back to Cornwall, England. Miners needed a portable lunch they could carry down into the pits. Their wives would bake meat and veggies into a thick pastry crust with a heavy, crimped edge. The miners, whose hands were often covered in arsenic and filth, would hold the crimped "handle," eat the middle, and toss the dirty crust to the "knockers"—the spirits living in the mines.
At Cornish Pasty Co Flagstaff, they’ve kept that spirit alive, though most people now eat the crust because it’s buttery and delicious. And thankfully, the arsenic is no longer part of the experience.
The Flagstaff Vibe
Every Cornish Pasty Co location has a specific energy, but Flagstaff hits differently. It’s the mountain air, maybe? Or just the fact that it's housed in a building that feels like it has a few secrets.
You’ve got the front bar area, which is great for people-watching, and then the back patio which is a total lifesaver during those cool Arizona summers. They even have those heavy-duty infrared heaters for when the Flagstaff wind starts biting in October.
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The Menu: It's Honestly Overwhelming
The first time you look at the menu, you'll probably panic. There are dozens of options. Do you go traditional? Do you go weird?
The Oggie is the "Traditional Pasty." It’s steak, potato, onion, and rutabaga (or "swede" if you want to be British about it). It comes with a side of red wine gravy or ketchup. It’s $17.50 these days, and it's basically a hug in a crust.
But here is where things get interesting. Founder Dean Thomas, who grew up in Saltash, Cornwall, decided that while tradition is cool, Americans like variety. So now you have things like:
- The Royale with Cheese: A hamburger, fries, bacon, and mushrooms all stuffed inside. It sounds like a heart attack, but it’s actually a masterpiece.
- The Pilgrim: This is basically Thanksgiving in a pocket. Turkey, sweet potato, and stuffing. People wait all year for this one, though it's often on the regular rotation.
- Lamb and Mint: Super classic, super savory.
- Cajun Chicken: Spicy chicken, bacon, and Swiss. It’s the one you order when you want something that isn’t a "pie."
The Vegan and Veggie Situation
Usually, "English Pub" is code for "you're eating a side of peas and a prayer if you're vegan." Not here.
They have a massive vegan section. The Vegan Oggie uses portobello mushrooms instead of steak, and it's surprisingly hearty. There’s also a Vegan Cubano with mojo jackfruit that has no business being that good. Just a heads-up: they do run out of specific vegan items occasionally because they’re made fresh. If you have your heart set on the Vegan Guinness Stew, maybe call ahead.
The "Secret" Staples You Need to Know
Everyone talks about the pasties, but the regulars know the real magic is often in the sides and appetizers.
The Scotch Egg. If you haven’t had one, it’s a hard-boiled egg wrapped in pork sausage, breaded, and fried. It’s the ultimate bar snack.
Then there’s the soup. The Cream of Leek, Potato, and Stilton is thick enough to stand a spoon in. It comes with their house-made bread, which is springy and perfect for dipping. Honestly, sometimes a cup of soup and a side of their "chips" (the British kind—thick-cut fries) is a better meal than the actual pasty if you aren't starving.
What to Drink
You can’t eat this much carbs without a proper pint. They keep a solid rotation of English and European drafts.
- Boddingtons Pub Ale: Served on nitro. It’s creamy and light.
- Guinness: Obviously.
- Eagle Banana Bread Beer: Sounds weird, tastes like dessert. Try it once.
They also do a "Cornish Car Bomb" and have a pretty legendary Happy Hour. From 3 PM to 6 PM, you can usually snag deals on drafts and mixed drinks.
Why Everyone Loves (and Sometimes Complains About) This Place
If you read reviews of the Flagstaff location, you’ll see two things: "The food is amazing" and "The service is slow."
Let’s be real. It’s a busy spot in a college town. If you go on a Friday night during a snowstorm, you’re going to wait. The kitchen is scratch-made. They aren't throwing these into a microwave; they’re finishing them in the oven.
Also, parking in downtown Flagstaff is a nightmare. Don't even try to park right in front on San Francisco St. Save yourself the stress and park a few blocks away in the Grasmick garage or the Phoenix Ave lot and enjoy the walk.
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A Note on the "Mine Ghost" Tradition
The "knockers" mentioned earlier are still a thing here, symbolically at least. You’ll see references to them in the decor. It’s a bit of that Cornish folklore that makes the place feel more like a community hub and less like a chain restaurant. Even though there are locations in Phoenix, Mesa, and even Las Vegas, the Flagstaff shop feels like it belongs to the mountain.
Expert Tips for Your Visit
If you want to do Cornish Pasty Co Flagstaff like a pro, follow these rules:
- The "Half-Baked" Trick: You can actually buy pasties part-baked for about $10-$12. You take them home, throw them in your oven, and your house smells like an English bakery. It’s the best move for a Sunday football game.
- Don't skip the dessert pasties: The Apple Caramel one is the big seller, but the Banoffee Pie (banana, toffee, cream) is the real winner.
- Late Night: They’re open until 2 AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It’s the best late-night food in town, period.
Practical Info
- Location: 26 S. San Francisco St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001.
- Hours: Generally 11 AM to Midnight (Sun-Wed) and 11 AM to 2 AM (Thu-Sat).
- Dietary: Very gluten-friendly and vegan-friendly, but cross-contamination is a thing in a flour-heavy kitchen.
Next Steps for the Hungry
If you're planning a trip to Flagstaff, put this on your "First Night" list. It’s the perfect way to fuel up after a drive or a hike at Buffalo Park.
Pro move: Check their daily specials on the chalkboard when you walk in. Sometimes they do a "Vindaloo" or a "Chicken Tikka" pasty that isn't on the main menu, and those are usually the highlights of the week. Grab a pint of Boddingtons, order an Oggie with extra gravy, and just soak in the vibe.
Just remember: it’s "pah-stee."
Now go get some red wine gravy on your shirt.